Chapter 511: Chapter 511

Indeed, Tang Long was a former Inter Milan player, and the rivalry between Inter and Juventus needs no further elaboration.

Although he moved from Inter to Manchester City, far from Serie A, in the recently concluded six rounds of the Champions League group stage, Tang Long twice fiercely humiliated Juventus both at home and away!

Two ghostly penalties especially made Italy’s iconic goalkeeper Buffon lose face and doubt his career, while national team main center-back Chiellini was also constantly toyed with by Tang Long, suffering bitterly.

Thinking back, when Tang Long was at Inter Milan, he spoiled Juventus’ plans in the Coppa Italia final.

So right now, Turin Sports Newspaper, the mouthpiece of Juventus, awarding the Golden Boy Award to Tang Long genuinely has a strong entertainment effect.

Looking at the laughter in the audience, Regini’s face was flushed, with veins bulging on his neck.

"Turin Sports Newspaper is renowned for fairness and justice. It is a respected, long-established media outlet across Europe, treating every player equally. We sent votes to the editorial offices of more than 30 well-known media outlets across Europe, and the winner of the Golden Boy Award was entirely voted for without any..."

Regini kept babbling, trying to save some face.

But now, no one was listening to what he was saying; everyone’s attention was focused on the big screen on the stage, where various spectacular performances of Tang Long of the year were being played.

One after another, magical assists under superb anticipation, standout positioning, and thrilling brilliant goals dazzled the audience, with continuous applause.

When the scene started replaying, during last season at Inter Milan, a 60-meter volley directly scoring from a super long distance, the entire venue stood up, with thunderous applause almost lifting the roof of the auditorium!

"Deservedly so, absolutely deservedly so!"

"Oh my, is this guy really only 19? Unbelievable!"

"Whether it’s 19-year-old Messi or 19-year-old C Luo, neither were as good as Tang!"

"If Manchester City wins the Champions League, I believe he will surely be the Golden Ball Award winner of the year!"

"Why can’t Italy produce a genius like Tang, what a pity..."

The next day, the sun shone on Manchester United’s training field, and the players were undergoing their daily training.

Martial stood among a group of teammates, with a tinge of unwillingness in his eyes, gesturing as he spoke:

"Sigh, you know what? Yesterday at the Golden Boy Award ceremony, I just felt like a runner-up companion!"

"Although I understood in my heart, I couldn’t help but fantasize, what if there was a miracle? But in the end, I knew it would surely be Tang taking the award!"

His tone was both envious and jealous, becoming more excited as he spoke, his face turning slightly red.

"Honestly, no matter what the judges thought, as a player myself, seeing Tang Long’s highlights at the scene, I was dumbfounded!" ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel·fire.net

"Oh God, Tang is only 19! Yet when you see him play, the maturity is like a 30-year-old veteran with over a decade on the field, simply unbelievable."

His eyes widened, as if the image of Tang Long on the pitch was floating right before him, full of astonishment.

Martial started gesturing wildly, his voice involuntarily rising by a few notches.

"His passing is absolutely phenomenal! Have you noticed? He’s like he has a magic radar, able to predict the movement of attackers and defenders. Every time he knows what’s going to happen three seconds ahead, as if he can read the opponent’s mind. I rack my brains yet can’t understand how he’s able to do it. Oh, if only Tang had come to Manchester United, I might have won the Premier League Golden Boot..."

As he was speaking, De Gea walked over and poked Martial’s arm, his eyes warning him not to say any more.

Martial’s words stopped abruptly; he turned back in confusion, only to be startled with a jolt.

He saw Icardi standing not far away, staring at him with a sinister look like a cold arrow directly piercing toward Martial.

Martial secretly exclaimed "Uh oh," instantly plastering a sheepish smile on his face, grinning at Icardi to appease him, then quickly turned to sneak away like a frightened rabbit.

But before he could take two steps, Icardi’s low voice came over, "Martial, come here, I have something to say to you!"

The voice was like a tightening curse, making Martial’s steps freeze instantly.

Martial slowly turned around, nervously walking toward Icardi, afraid of offending the team’s frontline leader.

Icardi frowned, speaking sternly, "What’s there to envy about the Golden Boy Award? It’s not the Golden Ball Award; even if it was given to me, I wouldn’t care!"

His voice carried a deliberate arrogance, like defending his dignity.

Upon hearing this, Martial’s straightforwardness kicked in; without thinking, he blurted out:

"Mauro, the Golden Boy Award is for players under 21; you’re 22 already, you aren’t even eligible for it!"

As soon as he said this, the air around seemed to freeze momentarily.

Icardi was taken aback, mouth agape, the expression like he got hit with a blunt force, "Ah, you!"

He struggled for ages, couldn’t utter a single word, face turning red, standing there like a dummy.

Soon, the surrounding teammates first paused, then burst into muffled laughter, the suppressed sound revealing a hint of mockery.

Just then, Rooney walked over, smiling as he patted Icardi’s shoulder.

"Mauro, don’t mind it; the Golden Boy Award is not worth taking. You’re aiming for the Golden Ball Award, right? Perform well; once we Manchester United secure the treble, and you win the European Golden Boot, I promise this year’s Golden Ball Award will be yours!"

Rooney’s steady and powerful voice sounded like giving Icardi a reassurance.

Icardi listened, his expression relaxed a bit, lightly nodding.

That evening, Icardi, who enjoyed using social media, first blocked 100 people who insulted him, then posted a status.

[What is the Golden Boy Award? My goal is to win the Golden Ball Award!]

The accompanying picture was a 10-minute compilation of his goals.

Icardi’s wife Wanda also shared her husband’s status.

[Mauro is the best player in the world, I have no doubt. One day he’ll win the Golden Ball Award! Look at his goals compilation, those accusations against my husband are all jealousy!]

However, this husband-and-wife duo made netizens fall over laughing.

The reason is that Icardi’s goal compilation comprised many goals achieved during his time at Inter, mostly assisted by Tang Long!

"Mauro, I wonder if you’ve actually watched the full video? Count how many of your goals came from Long’s assists?"

"Invincible when cheap, that describes your wife, just like you!"

"Tang winning a Golden Boy Award has nothing to do with you, why does it bother you?"

"Without Tang’s assists at Inter Milan, would Manchester United have even noticed you?"

"I think you’ve forgotten the pain after the scar healed. Forgotten about getting thrashed by Manchester City with seven goals, huh?"

"Icardi received Tang’s assist, a flick with the instep at the near post, and goal! Ah, sorry, that was an own goal!"